East Gippsland Shire Council has adopted the officer recommendation relating to the Bairnsdale Outdoor Pool following consideration of an independent safety and condition assessment at its meeting on Tuesday night.
Council also accepted a community petition relating to the future of the facility.
The report responds to a Council resolution from August 2025 requesting an independent assessment of the pool and presents findings from the Bairnsdale Aquatic Condition and Safety Assessment undertaken by Built Environment Collective.
The assessment found the Bairnsdale Outdoor Pool is beyond its service life and presents significant safety, compliance and operational risks in its current condition. It concluded that substantial investment would be required to bring the facility up to standard.
The independent assessment estimates remediation would exceed $5.3 million and extend the asset's life by approximately 10 years, noting that further works would likely be required within five years. It also notes the estimate does not include a range of additional project costs such as detailed design, engineering, permits, demolition, excavation, project management and contingencies.
East Gippsland Shire Council CEO Fiona Weigall said the findings provide a clear and detailed picture of the facility's condition and the scale of investment required.
"The safety assessment provides a detailed understanding of the condition of the facility and the significant investment that would be required to bring it up to standard," Ms Weigall said.
"Council must also meet its obligations under workplace health and safety legislation, which means the pool cannot be reopened in its current state. This assessment work will be used to inform the broader Aquatic Strategy currently underway."
Council noted that, in line with its obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004, the facility cannot be reopened in its current condition.
Council also noted that a new East Gippsland Aquatic Strategy is currently being developed. The strategy will review the condition and future role of aquatic facilities across the shire, include community and stakeholder engagement, and reassess demand for outdoor swimming facilities in Bairnsdale.
Importantly, Council is committed to ensuring the community plays a central role in shaping the future of aquatic facilities across East Gippsland, with broad community and stakeholder engagement to form a key part of the Aquatic Strategy process.
The Strategy is expected to be completed by December 2026 and presented for Council consideration in early 2027.
As part of its decision, Council resolved that no further remedial works will be undertaken on the Bairnsdale Outdoor Pool until the Aquatic Strategy has been completed, considered and adopted.
Council will respond directly to the petitioners in relation to Council's decision and future consultation processes, which will occur through the development of the Aquatic Strategy.
Council acknowledged the strong community interest in the facility and the important role aquatic infrastructure plays in supporting health, wellbeing and community participation across East Gippsland.
